Allied Health Team at Growing Strong Allied Health
Candy Hare
As the Practice Manager of Growing Strong Allied Health, Candy is passionate about creating a supportive environment where individuals feel valued and empowered throughout their health journey.
With a strong belief in the importance of connection, collaboration, and quality care, Candy has built Growing Strong Allied Health with a vision focused on providing meaningful, person-centred support that truly makes a difference in everyday lives.
She loves her role and takes great pride in the talented health professionals, the culture, and the community that continue to flourish. Her focus is on fostering an atmosphere where clients, families, and staff feel welcomed, understood, and supported.
Outside of work, Candy's greatest joy is being a mum to her five children. Life is always busy (and full of adventure!) as she cheers them on, runs between activities, and creates cherished memories with her family. Family is central to everything she does, and that same care and commitment is reflected in how she leads Growing Strong Allied Health.
Driven by purpose, connection, and a genuine love for helping others, Candy continues to grow a dedicated team and services built on compassion, trust, and meaningful outcomes, including essential services like occupational therapy.
Hayley Thomas
Hayley Thomas is an Allied Health Assistant with Growing Strong Allied Health, supporting clients across Cairns and the surrounding areas. She loves the variety that each day brings, from travelling throughout the beautiful Far North Queensland locations to working alongside a diverse range of clients and helping them achieve their occupational therapy goals.
Hayley is passionate about providing positive, person-centred support as a dedicated member of the health professionals community, creating meaningful connections with the people she works with.
Outside of work, Hayley enjoys staying active at the gym, spending quality time with family and friends, and exploring everything Far North Queensland has to offer.
On weekends, you’ll often find her discovering new cafés, enjoying time with loved ones, or heading off on a camping adventure.
Jack Lowman
Jack is an Occupational Therapist at Growing Strong Allied Health, having been part of their team for the past two years after previously serving as an Allied Health Assistant.
As a proud Aboriginal man from the Wergaia and Wemba Wemba peoples of Western Victoria, he is deeply passionate about First Nations health and enhancing access to care in rural and remote communities.
Jack recently earned his Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Canberra, further solidifying his expertise in Occupational Therapy and his commitment to improving community health outcomes.
Outside of his role as a health professional, he enjoys performing as a musician at pubs and weddings around the Canberra region, fostering creativity and community connection in both his personal and professional life.
Kalila Ross
Kalila is an Occupational Therapy student at Charles Darwin University who brings a calm, organised, and people-focused approach to her work. She is passionate about supporting others in practical, meaningful ways, particularly in the context of Growing Strong Allied Health, and enjoys working in collaborative team environments with other health professionals.
Known for her reliability and grounded nature, Kalila effectively balances her study, work, and family life while continuously developing her skills in allied health. She approaches challenges with patience and curiosity and is committed to making a positive difference in the field of Occupational Therapy.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her children, family, and friends, and staying active outdoors.
Teighan Beckley
Teighan is a Registered Social Worker with a background in Psychology and a passion for supporting individuals and families through a compassionate, holistic approach. She is dedicated to collaborating with health professionals in the Growing Strong Allied Health network to provide comprehensive support.
Originally from Western Australia and now based in South Australia, Teighan completed her qualifications at Flinders University. Since 2019, she has worked across the disability and mental health sectors, gaining valuable experience in support work and case management roles, including Occupational Therapy services.
Teighan’s passion lies in therapeutic and person-centred practice, with a focus on mental health, paediatrics, and child protection. She believes in creating safe, supportive spaces where people feel heard, valued, and empowered to build confidence and achieve their goals.
Outside of her professional life, Teighan is a proud cat mum and self-confessed “crazy cat lady” at heart. Her two fur babies, Bailee and Tin, hold a very special place in her world and bring plenty of joy to her everyday life.
Georgia Monaghan
Georgia is a dedicated Speech Pathologist with a passion for helping people discover their voice, build confidence, and connect with the world around them through effective communication skills. As part of Growing Strong Allied Health, she collaborates with children, families, and support teams to develop meaningful communication abilities that significantly impact everyday life.
Georgia believes that therapy should be practical, engaging, and tailored to each individual, supporting progress in crucial areas such as home, school, or community settings, much like the approach taken by other health professionals in allied health fields like Occupational Therapy.
Outside of her professional life, Georgia loves spending time by the beach, creating lasting memories with her golden retriever, and indulging in a little chocolate treat whenever she can.
Her warmth, curiosity, and genuine care shine through in everything she does, ensuring that clients and families feel understood, supported, and empowered throughout their journey.
Carmela Hutton
Carmela is an Allied Health Assistant who brings warmth, enthusiasm, and a genuine passion for supporting others to the Growing Strong Allied Health team.
With a caring and practical approach, Carmela works alongside our clinicians to help support clients in achieving their goals and building confidence through meaningful, everyday activities. She enjoys being part of a team that creates positive experiences and helps people feel supported throughout their journey.
Outside of work, you’ll find Carmela staying active at the gym, spending time with her animals (including her birds and dog), or enjoying a relaxed weekend game of pool. She loves music, a good vanilla iced latte, and a little mango treat whenever she gets the chance.
Her positive energy, dedication, and love for connecting with others make her a valued part of the Growing Strong Allied Health team.
Ina Stavril
Ina is a Senior Occupational Therapist with more than 30 years of experience supporting individuals and families living with disability, neurodiversity, mental health challenges and complex psychosocial needs.
She holds a Master of Occupational Therapy from La Trobe University and has a special interest in functional capacity assessments, trauma-informed care, executive functioning and mental health.
Drawing on both her extensive professional experience and lived experience as a parent and grandparent of children with disability, Ina brings a compassionate, practical and person-centred approach to every client she supports. She is passionate about helping people build confidence, independence and meaningful participation in everyday life.
Outside of work, Ina is a proud Sci-Fi enthusiast and animal lover who enjoys spending time with her cat, Lexie, and a few friendly neighbourhood feline visitors.
Kay Judd
With more than 20 years of experience in branding, content creation, events, partnerships, and community engagement, Kay brings a unique mix of creativity, strategy, and energy to everything she does at Growing Strong Allied Health.
A natural storyteller, Kay delights in crafting meaningful connections through authentic communication and engaging content, along with experiences that unite people.
At Growing Strong Allied Health, Kay is instrumental in bringing the brand to life, sharing our story, connecting with our community, and ensuring that the essence of what we do is reflected in every interaction.
Outside of work, you’ll often find her enjoying time with family and friends, and any animal (a quick trip to Bunnings, shouldn't take that long.. or finding any excuse to hit the dance floor to a classic R&B track.